Tears stream down their faces as they cross the finish line, hand-in-hand. Ribbons, T-shirts and even the odd set of bunny ears contribute to a sea of pink that seems to never end. For three days, these people have lived in tent cities and walked until they are ready to drop, but on their faces you see nothing but joy. This is not just a personal victory, this is a triumph shared by every woman.

The 2006 Breast Cancer 3-Day is a series of 60-mile walks in cities across the nation. It is organized by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which was founded in 1982 by Nancy Goodman Brinker after her sister Susan Goodman Komen died of cancer. Nancy promised Susan to do everything in her power to bring an end to breast cancer. Now, 25 years later, the Komen Foundation is an international organization that helps fund innovative breast cancer research and community outreach programs. The foundation and its affiliates have raised more than $630 million to date.

Anna Brady, 38, is one of the many women walking the 3-Day in honor of a loved one. Brady began participating in the walk at the age of 35, about the same age that her mother passed away with breast cancer. Brady’s aunt who raised her after her mother’s death, also lost a battle to breast cancer at a young age.

Each 3-Day walker has to raise a minimum of $2,200 in order to participate in the walk.
This year, Brady is a member of “Team Why We Walk,” a group of five people from across the country who have each committed to participating in all 12 of the 3-Day walks around the world. Team Why We Walk has set out to raise a group total of $132,000.

"Team Why We Walk was started by a woman named Sharon Forbes of Virginia. We met on the 3-Day message boards and have become great friends since working together on this endeavor," says Brady. "If the unthinkable happens and we are unable to raise the money to participate in all 12 events, we still know we've made great friend[s] for life."